After years of setbacks, US labor demonstrates its power
2021 marked a historic year in labor organizing for workers in the US, with tens of thousands of workers in partaking in union votes and strike actions
In historic vote, 60,000 Hollywood workers authorize first ever countrywide strike
Workers employed in major film and television production houses have complained of abysmal working conditions such as long hours, often exceeding 12 hours a day, low wages and low healthcare contributions from producers
Thousands hit the streets across the US to defend voting rights
Around 20,000 people were estimated to have participated in the Make Good Trouble Rally, with dozens of other cities witnessing rallies and demonstrations
2 months of coal workers’ strike in the US
Mine workers in Alabama have been on strike for over 2 months to demand decent working conditions from Warrior Met, the largest producer of metallurgical coal in the US
Coal workers strike at Warrior Met reach third month
Despite hostilities and difficulties faced by the Warrior Met Coal, nearly 1,100 workers in Alabama’s largest metallurgical coal producer have continued their strike for a fair contract to compensate for the sacrifices they made to keep the bankrupt company afloat
US House of Representatives passes bill to protect labor union rights
The law seeks to penalize companies for violating federal labor board guidelines and if enacted will override state-level anti-union laws called “right-to-work” legislation
Trump suspends long-term immigration for 60 days to “protect American workers”
The move comes in as the US is faced with a major unemployment crisis, and even as the Trump administration is pushing for an early lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.
